Our client, a 40-year-old Florida grocery store manager, was initially paid long-term disability benefits by The Hartford. The claim was approved based on her symptoms resulting from multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS is a permanent disease of the central nervous system. MS disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and the body. The condition is unpredictable, making those diagnosed with MS have “good days” and “bad days.”
Our client was initially paid long-term disability benefits by The Hartford because she was unable to work in her own occupation as a grocery manager. At the time, she did not have an long-term disability attorney representing her. The Hartford paid a doctor to physically examine her. The doctor found our client to be disabled. The Hartford also hired an investigator to conduct surveillance on her. She was filmed on several occasions, including while participating in events for her local not-for-profit.
The Hartford used this as a “gotcha moment.” It hired a different doctor to review her medical records and the surveillance footage. The Hartford also had one of its field representatives interview our client in her home for several hours. At the end of the interview, the field representative showed our client the surveillance footage and asked her if she wanted to change her answers.
When the client contacted our firm, The Hartford had terminated her long-term disability benefits. While the doctor did not dispute her diagnosis of MS, he concluded she is able to return to the workforce.
In preparing her appeal, we sent our client to an independent neuropsychological evaluation to test her cognitive abilities. The test results showed she had trouble with concentration and attention. She also had depression. She showed symptoms typical of someone suffering from MS. We also provided The Hartford with updated medical records from her treating doctors, including MRIs showing her brain lesions had grown.
As a result of our appeal, The Hartford reversed its termination of our client’s long-term disability benefits. The Hartford paid our client benefits back to the date of its termination.
Long-term Disability Lawyers for Your Appeal
This law firm helps focuses exclusively on representing people who were wrongly denied long term disability benefits. Because the firm was built to be a disability insurance law firm only, we have successfully handled hundreds of disability appeals with The Hartford and many other insurance companies, such as CIGNA, UNUM, Prudential, Aetna, Lincoln Financial, and MetLife
Call to speak with a disability insurance lawyer to see how we can help you get the benefits you deserve.
